The US embassy in Cyprus issued a public appeal for information on the whereabouts of a senior diplomat who has been missing for three days.

Thomas Mooney, 45, described on the Cyprus government Foreign Ministry web site as a US defense attaché, was last seen leaving the embassy on Thursday afternoon.

The embassy declined to state the nature of his work, calling him "an employee".

Authorities declined to speculate on where he might be or the reasons for his disappearance.

Diplomats said the US embassy initially put out a quiet alert over Mooney's disappearance with other diplomatic missions and police on Friday, but were forced to go public when initial inquiries drew a blank.

Acquaintances said Mooney, who has the rank of lieutenant-colonel, was on his second tour of duty in Cyprus within the past five years and was believed to be on the island without his family.

His car was also missing and his mobile phone switched off.

RZS/RE